Well packers



WELL PACKERS July 7, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 15, 1954 Ma M /0 C/cero C. Brown INVENTOR.

BY Z LAW A l a fl/flmL ATTORNEYS July 7, 1959 c. c. BROWN 2,893,492

, WELL PACKERS Filed Nov. 15, 1954 a s Sheets-Sheet 2 f 3 x 1. T

24 l I I 2315 J 23673 5 I, i V i 4; I

C/cero C. Br own INVENTOR.

Z: M KKM ,4 TTVOVR/VE rs July 7, 1959 c. c. BROWN 2,893,492

WELL PACKERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. 15, 1954 C/cero C. Brown I i HVVENTOR.

United. States Patent WELL PACKERS Cicero C. Brown, Houston, Tex. I Application November 15, 1954, Serial No. 468,653 4 Claims. (Cl. 166-119) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in well packers.

object of this invention is to provide a new and improved well packer which is adapted to be set and released from engagement with a well pipe by rotation of the tubing supporting the packer in the same direction for both the setting and the releasing operations.

An important object of this invention is to provide a new and improved Well packer wherein a double-threaded nut is employed for coaction with two oppositely threaded surfaces on the operating mandrel for the packer, whereby the packer is adapted to be set and released by a rotation of the mandrel in the same direction.

Another object of this invention is to provide in a new and improved packer, a latching means for retaining the packer in a set position, such means including a doublethreaded nut formed of a plurality of arcuate segments.

A further object of this invention is to provide a new and improved well packer which is adapted to be latched or locked in both a released or unset position and in a set position, such packer being latched or locked upon a nonrotative movement of the supporting pipe therefor, but being released from the latched position by a rotation of the supporting pipe.

The construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described, together with other features thereof.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, where in an example of the invention is shown, and wherein:

Figure l is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating one form of the apparatus of this invention in a set position.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but illustrating the apparatus in a released or unset position.

Figure 3 is a View, partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating the latching or locking means used in the packer of this invention, with such means being illustrated in the position for maintaining the packer in 2. released or unset condition.

Figure .4 is a view similar to Figure 3, but illustrating the latching or locking means of this invention in the position for maintaining the packer in a set condition.

Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is a sectional view illustrating the doublethreaded latching nut of this invention.

Figure 7 is an isometric view illustrating one arcuate segment of the double-threaded nut of this invention.

Figure 8 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section, illustrating a modified form of the packer of this invention.

In the drawings, the letter A designates the improved well packer of this invention which, as will be explained, is so constructed that it is adapted to be set and released from engagement with the well casing or well pipe within which it is positioned, by a rotation of the tubing or pipe supporting the packer in the same direction for both the setting and the releasing operations.

The packer A includes a plurality of radially-expansible pipe gripping slips 10 which are disposed in a slip housing or carrier 11 which is substantially cylindrical in shape and which has a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 11a through which the plurality of slips 10 are adapted to move radially for moving into anchoring or gripping engagement with the well casing W. The slips 10 are urged radially outwardly into such anchoring engagement with the casing W by a slip cone or expander 14 which has a downwardly and inwardly inclined external surface 14a which coacts with the inner downwardly and inwardly inclined surface 10a of the slips 10. The upper end of the slip cone 14 has connected therewith a resilient seal cup or packing member 15 which is formed of rubber or other resilient material and which has therewith a plurality of auxiliary anchor segments 16 which have gripping teeth 16a thereon for engaging the casing W upon a lateral or radial movement of the packing member 15 outwardly. The anchor segments 16 are usually formed integrally with the packing member 15 by molding a portion thereof together with the rubber packing member 15, but it will be appreciated that any suitable means for attaching the anchor segments 16 to the packing member 15 will suffice, as long as the anchor segments 16 are adapted to move radially outwardly upon an expansion of the packing member 15 outwardly.

A lower seal cup or packing member 18, which is also formed of rubber or other resilient material, is carried from the lower end of the slip housing 11 with an adaptor 19 therebetween. The packing member 18 has a plurality of radially expansible auxiliary anchor segments 20 which are adapted to move into gripping contact with the Well casing W upon a radial expansion of the packing member 18 into sealing engagement with the casing W. The usual friction springs 12 are mounted on the slip housing 11 for resisting longitudinal and rotational movement of the housing 11.

A mandrel 22 extends through the bore of the packe A and it has a set of lower threads 23 formed thereon and a set of upper threads 24 also formed thereon. During the lowering of the apparatus into the well casing W, the threads 23 are in threaded engagement with a doublethreaded nut or coupling C (Figures 3, 4, 6 and 7), which is formed with both right-hand internal threads 25 (indicated by the short dash lines in Figure 6) and left-hand internal threads 26 (indicated by the long dash lines in Figure 6). Thus, the coupling C is so constructed that it is adapted to receive both right-hand external threads and left-hand external threads on the mandrel 22. The coupling C is formed in a plurality of arcuate segments (one of which is illustrated in Figure 7) which are cut or otherwise formed from a cylinder having the threads 25 and 26 formed therein, and which segments are retained in the cylindrical shape by resilient rings 27 which extend around the outside of the coupling C and urge all of the segments thereof inwardly. However, the segments of the coupling C are adapted to move or slide radially outwardly so as to separate from each other; for guiding such radial movement and for preventing rotation of the coupling C with respect to the adaptor 19, each segment of the coupling C has a groove or keyway 40 (Figures 6 and 7) into which a lug or key 14 (Figures 1-5) extends. The adaptor 19 is provided with a suificient annular recess 19a so as to permit a limited radial expansion of the segments of the coupling C against the inward urging of the resilient members 27. V

The threads 23 are preferably buttress-type threads and are constructed with a substantially laterally extending lower surface 23a and an inclined upper surface 23b whereby the threads are adapted to be rotated for re- .ably be to the right.

leaseof thethreadsin a downward direction with respect to the coupling C, but are adapted to slide upwardly into the coupling C without rotation by expanding the segments of the coupling C outwardly until the threads 23 finallyseat in the, threads ofthecoupling C. Preferably the threads 23 are right-hand threads so, that a right-hand rotationtofthe.mandrel .22 (as viewed from the top of Figure 1) will result in a downward movement of the mandrel 22 with respect to the coupling C so as to effect the release of the threads 23 from the coupling C.

The threads 24 are-also buttress-type threads and are formed in; an opposite manner from threads 23 and the upper surfaces thereof are laterally extending substantially flat surfaces 24a while thelower portion 24b is inclined and preferably the threads 24 are left-hand threads. vVithusuchrconstruction of the threads 24, after the threads. 23 have beendisengaged and passed below the coupling C, the threads 24 can be forced into the coupling. C by a non-rotative longitudinal movement of the mandrel 22. The inclined surfaces 24b effect an expansion of the segments of the coupling C so that the threads 24 actually engage within the left-hand threaded portion of the coupling C, but without the necessity for rotating the mandrel 22 relative to the coupling C. When it, is desired to move ,thermandrel upwardly relative to the couplingC after the threads 24 are seated in the coupling C, such-upward 'movement can be obtained by a rotation of the mandrel 22 to the right.

and 24 are-changed so that the threads 23 are left hand and the threads. 24,are right hand, then the release of both sets of threads 23 and 24 would be effected to the left, but in the usual practice, the rotation would prefer- In any event, the release of the sets of threads 23 and 24 is in the same direction and is ,eifectedby a rotation of the mandrel 22 which, as will be explained, is controlled from the surface of the well slips '10 to thereby prevent premature setting of the slips 10. The pins 29 also coact with the annular shoulder 28 to prevent a movement of the threads 23 past the coupling C upon a non-rotative longitudinal movement of the mandrelupwardly for the re-engagement of the threads23 with the coupling C. For preventing the-movement of the threads 24 below the coupling C upon anon-rotative longitudinal lowering of the man- ,drel 22 with respect to the coupling 25, an annular radi- -ally extending shoulder 30 is provided on the mandrel 22 for; abutment with pins 29 (Figure 1).

The mandrel 22 is provided with annular enlarged portions 22a and 22b which are adapted to engage in sealing contact with the sealrings 32 and 33 which are formed of rubber or other resilient material and which prevent a bypass of fluid around the mandrel when in the set position (Figure 1). It should also be noted that bypass ports 34 and 35 are provided in the lower packer A for providing an equalizing fluid or bypass of fluid ,above and below the upper and lower packing members and 18 so as to prevent their being urged radially prior to the setting of the slips 10. Thus, when the enlarged portions-22a and22b of the mandrel 22 are in -sealing engagementwiththe seal rings 32 and 33, the ePDrts134aand35 areiefie'ctively .closedso that the fluid pressure above and below the packing members 15 and ,18 acts to urgesame outwardly intotheir sealing engagement with the casing W. Also, the auxiliary anchor segments 16 and 20 are urged outwardly with the radial movement of the packing members 15 and 18.

In the use of the apparatus disclosed in Figures 1-7 of the drawings, the well packer A is lowered into the well casing or well pipe Wto a predetermined point at which it is desired to set same. During the lowering operation, the well packer A is in the position illustrated in Figure 2 and the latching mechanism is specifically illustrated in the running-in position in Figure 3. The tubing T is rotated to the right (clockwise as viewed from the top of Figure 2) so asto release the threads 23 from the coupling C, causing the mandrel 22 to move downwardly with respect to the coupling C. The tubing T is then lowered to cause the cone 14 to expand the slips 10 into anchoring engagement with the well casing W; as the slips 10 are thus expanded, the upper threads 24 are engaged with the coupling or nut C by the downward non-rotative lowering of the tubing string T. The bypass ports 34 and 35 are also closed so that the difierential in fluid pressure in the well casing acts to expand the sealing members 15 and 18 intosealing contact with the well casing W. 'Thus, the packer A isfullyset or anchored in the well casing W. i

For releasing the well packer A from its set-position (Figure 1) for removing the packer from the well or for moving same to adifferent position inthe well, the tubing T is rotated to the right which causes the left-hand threads 24 to travel upwardly relative to the coupling C and-to be released therefrom. Upon araising of the tubing T thereafter, the threads23 are caused to slide into engagement with the threads on the coupling C by expanding radially the segments of the coupling C. Upon the reengagement of the threads 23 with the threads of the coupling member C, the packer is then in a position for again bypassing the well fluid through the packer and, of course, the slips 1t) and the packing elements 15 and 18 have been released from their set position. Thus, the well packer A is again in the released or unset position (Figure 2) so that it can be moved within thewell casing or pipe W for ,locatingsame at .a different position in the well casing W or for removing same therefrom.

In Figure 8, a modification of the well packer is illustrated and such modified well packer is identified by the letter A. The modified, packer A is identical .with the well packer A illustrated in Figures 17 except that the pair of slip expanders-14 and 114 are utilized with the slips it) rather than the single slip expander14 of Figures 1-7. Also, the slips 10 in Figure Shave a double inclined inner surface 10a and 1012 so that the slips 10 in the packer A are urged radially outwardly into gripping engagement with the well casing W as the slip expanders or cones 14 and 114 move toward each other. The movement of the cones 14 and 114 toward eachother is permitted when the lower threads 23 have moved below the coupling C and the upper threads 24 are engaged therewith. The fluid pressure acting on the upper and lower sealing cups 15 and 18 urge the slip cones 14 and 114 toward each other. Also, the tubing weight can be applied to the cone 14 for urging same downwardly which results in a setting of the slips 10 into gripping engagement with the well casing W (Figure 8). The pin 29 extends into a slot 11b in the slip housing 11 and the pin 129 extends into a similar slot therebelow and also in the slip-housing 11 so as to limit the longitudinal movement to the cones 14 and 114 away from each other and relative to the slips 1:). The other parts inthe modified packer A of Figure 8 are identical with those illustrated in the well packer A of Figures 1-7 and have like numerals. It will also be evident that the operation of the modified packer A is identicalwith the well packer A except that the slips 10 are urged outwardly by thedouble set of slip expanders or cones rather than the single expander of the well packer A.

The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention is illustrative and explanatory thereof and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A well tool assembly comprising a mandrel adapted to be connected to a pipe; a packer slidably supported on said mandrel; a slip assembly including a slip carrier, slips and a slip expander slidably carried by the mandrel and operable to support the packer in a well casing; means for setting and releasing said slip assembly including; a double threaded segmental nut having sets of internal threads formed of opposite pitch; resilient means maintaining said nut assembled; said nut being mounted on a member of said slip assembly; oppositely facing left and right hand sets of buttress threads positioned at spaced points on said mandrel and alternately engageable with said nut upon longitudinal movement of the mandrel relative to said nut to position a selected set of threads in alignment with the threads of the nut and releasable from said nut by right hand rotation of said member; and spaced shoulders on said mandrel alternately engageable with stop means on a member of said slip assembly when the nut is alternately engaged by said threads on the mandrel and maintaining said slip assembly in expanded position when the nut is engaged by one set of said threads, and in retracted position when the nut is engaged by the other set of said threads.

2. The well tool assembly of claim 1 wherein said packer is a cup type packer which seals with a well casing when a difierential in pressure occurs on opposite sides of the packer.

3. A well tool assembly comprising a mandrel adapted to be connected to a pipe; a packer slidably supported on said mandrel; a slip assembly indluding a slip carrier, slips and a slip expander slidably carried by the mandrel and operable to support the packer in a well casing; means for setting and releasing said slip assembly including; latch means mounted on a member of said slip assembly; spaced latch elements mounted on said mandrel and engageable with said latch means by longitudinal movement of the mandrel in opposite directions; each of said latch elements released from the latch means by right hand rotation of the mandrel; stop means on a member of said slip assembly; and spaced shoulders on said mandrel alternately engageable with said stop means when the latch means is alternately engaged by said latch elements and maintaining said slip assembly in expanded position when the latch means is engaged by one latch element, and in retracted position when the latch means is engaged by the other latch element.

4. A well tool assembly comprising a mandrel adapted to be connected to a pipe; a packer slidably supported on said mandrel; a slip assembly including a slip carrier, slips and a slip expander slidably carried by the mandrel and operable to support the packer in a well casing; and means for setting and releasing said slip assembly including; latch means mounted on a member of said slip assembly; spaced latch elements mounted on said mandrel and alternately engageable with said latch means; resilient means urging one of said latch means and said latch elements toward the other; cooperating surfaces on said latch means and one latch element preventing relative longitudinal movement between the latch means and one latch element in a first direction when said one latch element is engaged with the latch means and permitting longitudinal movement in a second direction by stressing said resilient means; said latch means and said one latch element released for longitudinal movement in said first direction by right hand rotation of the mandrel; cooperating surfaces on said latch means and other latch element preventing relative longitudinal movement between the latch means and other latch element in said second direction when said other latch element is engaged with the latch means and permitting longitudinal movement in said first direction by stressing said resilient means; said latch means and said other latch element released for longitudinal movement in said second direction by right hand rotation of the mandrel; stop means on a member of said slip assembly; and spaced shoulders on said mandrel alternately engageable with said stop means when the latch means is alternately engaged by said latch elements and maintaining said slip assembly in expanded position when the latch means is engaged by one latch element, and in retracted position when the latch means is engaged by the other latch element.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 328,139 Patten Oct. 13, 1885 1,963,667 Mercier June 19, 1934 2,585,706 Ware Feb. 12, 1952 2,652,894 Brown et a1 Sept. 22, 1953 2,674,315 Brown Apr. 6, 1954 2,675,875 Potts Apr. 20, 1954 2,691,418 Connolly Oct. 12, 1954 2,698,663 Brown Ian. 4, 1955 

